Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Address
2 West Seventh StreetBloomsburg, PA 17815
phone: 570-389-9206
web: www.the-childrens-museum.org

Admissions

$4.00 per person (child or adult) For children 2 years old or younger, there is no admission fee.

Staff

Deborah Rhodes
phone: 570-389-9206
Description

The Children's Museum, Inc. is a rural non-profit organization with a mission to enrich the lives of people in the community by fostering a lifelong love of learning through enjoyable interactive programs and exhibits that bring out the imagination of every child and the child in every visitor.
Goals:
. To maintain and develop an art and science museum that provides hands-on educational experiences to the community.
. To create and provide interactive traveling exhibits and teaching kits for use in area schools.
. To extend educational outreach services to the community.
. To involve the community in all aspects of the Children's Museum.
. To seek and develop resources to maintain the activities of the Children's Museum.
NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN SERVICE AREA: Five county area: 20,000 children; Ten county area: a general population of 880,379.
SERVICE START: May 1985
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM: More than 50 exhibits, presentations, classes, and special programs in physical science, natural science, art, history, music, and other disciplines.
CLASSROOM KIT PROGRAM: Electricity, Magnetism, Sound, Meteorology, Astronomy, Local History, Music, Energy, and Nutrition.
SUMMER ART AND SCIENCE CENTER: More than 50 exhibits, presentations, classes, and special programs in physical science, natural science, art, history, music, and other disciplines; covers 10 or more Pennsylvania counties.

History

The Children's Museum is a nonprofit corporation and is community based. It is run by volunteer committees and their Board of Directors. In 1985, working from the Bloomsburg area, the members of the Children's Museum developed a hands-on traveling museum that services 17 school districts in five counties. Since 1996, the Children's Museum has run an Art and Science Center to serve the region. Attendance has grown steadily each year, and, in 2001, the Museum purchased the site of its permanent home at 2 West Seventh Street in Bloomsburg. The Museum is open year round. Call for hours and to schedule group visits.

Educational Programs

AUGUST
. August 15, at 11:30 a.m. Frog Stories and Jokes with storyteller Anne Copser. Visitors will enjoy frog stories and "corny" jokes presented in our own Greenway exhibit. A "ribbet-ing" good time for all ages; at 1 p.m.: Walk Your Way to Health. In conjunction with the new Children's Museum exhibit, DII (Diabetes II) supported by Action Health, Inc., a fun exercise program, Walk Your Way to Health will be presented by physical education teacher Sue Schmeimer, Bloomsburg. These invigorating presentations feature an introduction to pedometers and an "Alphabet Scavenger Hunt" throughout the Museum.
. August 16, at 11:00 a.m.: Erin Shellhamer from Tuscarora State Park will host the informative program Animal Camouflage in keeping with our 2006 theme, Light & Color. The presentation, for all ages, explores the coloration of insects and animals that allows them to safely blend into the environment, hidden from predators.
. August 24, at 11:30 a.m.: Dog Bite Awareness and the History of the Saluki Breed with Eileen Drummond and Angel and Hope. This hands-on presentation teaches visitors how to approach dogs, general dog bite awareness and the history of the Saluki breed. Eileen introduces visitors to her Saluki Therapy Dogs, Angel and Hope.

SEPTEMBER
. September 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Bring your Grandparents to the Children's Museum Day on the Saturday before Grandparents' Day. Each paid admission for a child includes admission for a grandparent.
. September 16, 12-3 p.m.: Saturday Art with Mrs. D. - "Weed Weaving". Jean DiDomenico, Children's Museum resident art instructor, will teach visitors to create their own weaving made with yarn and fall grasses to take home. Program included with general admission.
. September 12 through December 16: Autumn School Days -Tuesday through Saturday, by appointment. The Children's Museum offers self-discovery tours for schools, day care centers, scouts and other organized groups. By appointment and at a discounted admission rate ($3.50). General admission: $4.00 (children and adults). No admission fee for children two years old and younger.

OCTOBER
. Wednesdays, October 4 through December 13; time: 4-5:30 pm: After School Art Program with Andrea Marks. For students 6-12 years old, one session per week (weekday TBA) 4-5:30 p.m. Fee: $10.00 per week based on number of weeks per month. Fee for the month to be paid in advance. Pre-registration required. Students will learn methods of numerous art disciplines including painting, drawing and sculpture along with information about the history of various media and artists who specialize in them. For details or to register, contact the Children's Museum Office or a leave message.
. October 7, 6 to 8 p.m.: Children's Museum Annual Open House. All are invited to join the Board of Directors and staff for this evening event. Explore new exhibits and try the many activities related to the 2006 theme, Light & Color. Free admission to the museum and refreshments. Join Jean DiDomenico for a Saturday Fall Art activity during the Open House.
. October 21: Everybody loves the Haunted Children's Museum. Trick or treat activities for all ages: storytelling, face painting and mask making. Kids can wear their favorite costumes. Join Jean DiDomenico for another Saturday Art program, Pumpkin Painting.

NOVEMBER
. November: Native American Month Special activities celebrating Pennsylvania's Native American heritage are added throughout the Children's Museum.
. November 18: Native American Celebration Day. Programs included with general admission. Saturday Art with Mrs. D. - "Corn Husk Doll Making" Jean DiDomenico, Children's Museum resident art instructor, will teach visitors to create their own corn husk doll to take home. Other programs TBA.

DECEMBER
. December 9: Holiday Celebrations Around the World. Visitors can participate in a festival of international holiday music, games and dance. Light & Color Saturday Art with Mrs. D. - "Paper Stained Glass". Jean DiDomenico, Children's Museum resident art instructor, will teach visitors to create their own paper stained glass project to take home. Program included with general admission. Other programs TBA.
Don't miss the 2006 Light & Color North Mountain Art League Exhibition: An exhibit of artwork by members of the North Mountain Art League will be on display through December 2006 in the Upper Level of the Children's Museum.

2007
. 2007: People. The Children's Museum begins another exciting year with a new theme, People. New exhibits in development are Passage to Pennsylvania under the Earthdome, People of the Past (Ancient Egypt) and The Pinhole Camera: Portraits.
. April 3 through June 9, 2007: Spring School Days. We are now accepting reservations for 2007. Schedule early. The calendar will fill up very quickly. The Children's Museum offers self-discovery tours for schools, day care centers, scouts and other organized groups by appointment and at a discounted admission rate.

Governance

Board of Directors

Publications

Quarterly newsletter

Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Museum Trustee Association Spring Forum 2024

April 10 - 14, 2024

Atlanta, Georgia

Texas Association of Museums 2024 Lubock Annual Conference

April 14 - 17, 2024

Lubbock, Texas

2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

Worland, Wyoming

West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

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